Marita

Marita L. hails from the beautiful city of Antipolo, Rizal Province, in the Philippines. She is 35 years old and the mother to four. All of her kids are all in the elementary grades except the youngest, who is four years old. Her husband, Rogelio, is 39 and is a vendor and her business partner.

Life was not easy for Marita. She was challenged by the miserable condition of their lives to strive hard and search for a greener living. In 2003, she joined ASHI (Ahon sa Hirap, Inc.), an MFI and KIVA partner in the Philippines, with the hope of bringing light to her family. On her previous loans, she prudently invested those in doormat making. But it is quite laborious and time consuming.

Just recently, Marita opted to venture in fish-ball vending which is in demand by kids and also by the people in the community, especially during the afternoon. She observed that fish-ball vending is more profitable, and so she considered it as their primary business.

Now, Marita has applied for a loan of 30,000 pesos as additional capital for her business, to improve her cart and some will go to her secondary business of doormat making.

Marita is positive and hopeful that, if coupled with industry, their business will bring them great profit so that they can save and be able to send their children to school, enabling them to find jobs.

Additional Information

About ASHI

Ahon Sa Hirap, Inc. has the distinction of being the oldest existing replication of Grameen methodology for delivering credit to the poor in the Philippines. With more than a third of the nation’s 90 million Filipinos living below the poverty line, ASHI was established with the vision of helping to alleviate poverty in the Philippines. Translated from Tagalog, Ahon Sa Hirap means “to rise above poverty.”

Empowering women dedicated to supporting their families through hard work and dedication, ASHI lends 100% to women and specifically the bottom 50%, so the “poorest of the poor.” In addition to general business loans, ASHI also offers educational loans, house repair loans, savings funds, and social development programs for its members. ASHI is committed to translating its social mission into practice.